Raipur– A total of 31 Maoists, including five women and three individuals with bounties totaling ₹4.5 lakh, surrendered to security forces on Monday, according to officials. The surrender took place in Narayanpur district.
The five female Maoists were active members of various regional committees, each with a reward on her head. They expressed a desire to abandon violence and rejoin mainstream society, citing years of hardship in the forests and growing disillusionment with Maoist ideology.
Officials welcomed the move, calling it a positive development and expressing hope that it would inspire other Maoists to follow suit.
Those who surrendered were previously involved in Naxalite activities, including road sabotage and spreading propaganda. They have now renounced violence under the “Lon Varratu” (“Come Back Home”) campaign, which aims to reintegrate former Maoists into society.
Since the launch of the campaign, 953 Naxalites have surrendered in the Dantewada district, including 224 who had rewards on their heads.
The Bastar region, long plagued by Naxalite insurgency, has seen a significant number of surrenders thanks to sustained efforts by security forces and local administration to rehabilitate former militants.
Led by senior officials, the Dantewada district administration and police, with support from the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), have actively promoted the state’s rehabilitation policy. These efforts include outreach programs in villages to steer disillusioned youth and hardcore Maoists toward peaceful reintegration.
Among the 26 surrendered Maoists were individuals with rewards, such as Rajesh Kashyap and Kosa Madvi. Women like Kumari Oyam and others from Narayanpur also chose to return to civilian life.
Under the state’s rehabilitation policy, the government will provide financial assistance, vocational training, and other forms of support to help the former Maoists build a new life.
“The Maoists have chosen to surrender, abandon Naxalism, and return to the mainstream. The women who surrendered to the police and administration stated that they want to leave behind violence and live normal lives,” officials said.
Authorities have called the mass surrender a positive sign and expressed optimism that others will be encouraged to embrace peace and reintegration. (Source: IANS)
